recolle | closed || bridges of friendship

Entry tags:

elfen lied: kaede

closed || bridges of friendship

WHO: Minako, Ryoji, and Lucy
WHERE: Peach Beach and the boardwalk
WHEN: Arbitrarily backdated to April 8th
WHAT: Lucy makes good on the promise of meeting Ryoji just once.
WARNINGS: Lucy Takada, probably.

[Minako will admit that she thought Lucy would want to back out of this at the last minute. She'd been waiting for it the whole morning during breakfast, while they were getting ready, in the car, and maybe a little bit even now, as they're walking into the main boardwalk area towards where Ryoji is waiting for them. But Lucy hasn't mentioned anything yet! Which is very promising and gives Minako the best kind of feeling, knowing that Lucy is pushing past her comfort zones to do this.

Here's to hoping she won't be pushed too far out of her comfort zone.

No no, that's what Minako is for, to mediate between the two extreme personalities here today. Everything will be fine.

When she spots Ryoji through the crowd, she waves her arm and calls to him with a grin.]

Ryoji! Over here!

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[ Ryoji loves the beach. It's full of people during the day, with a constant roar of the ocean at night, air sticky with salt spray and skin gritty with sand no matter how brief a visit. He loves this, he loves Minako, and he knows he'll love Lucy because he's determined to make Minako's friends his own.

At the sound of his name, Ryoji turns his gaze from the ocean and perks right up, Minako's voice cutting clear through the murmur of background noise that is idle conversation, screaming children, and the cry of gulls. He pushes off the chain links dividing the bike path behind him and the pedestrian sidewalk at his feet to bound over to the two of them, flip-flops slapping excitedly against the ground. ]

Minako~! Lucy!! You guys finally made it!

[ Even though it's still early in the day. He might have gotten here even earlier than their promised meeting time, forgoing breakfast to make the ride down under the soft pink hues of the sunrise. ]

[Lucy did, in fact, strongly consider bailing at various points in the day. Like, say, out the car window. Or dashing off of the boardwalk, with some mutter of complaint about the sand.

She didn't drag her heels too much in the end, though she did linger a few steps behind Minako the entire way out there. It was a nice day, all things considered; not too warm, a nice breeze, the seagulls pestering tourists and thus elsewhere down the beach instead of being obnoxious bear the boardwalk. Lucy wasn't exactly dressed for the beach, but this skirt and jacket were comfortable, even if the latter was a bit warm.

When she heard her roommate call out his name, Lucy's shoulders immediately huddled up further like a recalcitrant turtle. And she fell in line behind Minako further when she heard him respond.

This would be fine. This would be fine. Minako was here, and thus a convenient obstacle. This was fine.]

[Minako can almost feel Lucy tense up behind her, and okay, she can't help it, she's smiling a little bit. It's halfway between "aw she's so cute" and "it's time to mentally brace for the worst" even though Ryoji had agreed to follow her cues if and/or when Lucy got too overwhelmed. She knows he'll keep his word, but if she's learned anything in her twenty-one years on this earth, it's that things happen and sometimes you can't get what you wish for.

That wish being Lucy and Ryoji on good terms after all this! Which hopefully isn't as difficult a wish to make happen as others, not with her ready and waiting in the wings. It's time to start Operation: Friendship!

Wait, before she dives into this, she wants a hug.

So she meets Ryoji halfway, a blur of peach colored lace and wide brimmed sunhat darting forward to throw her arms around him.]

Hi! You haven't been waiting long, have you?

[ Oof. Ryoji almost knocks off that sunhat when he goes in for the hug, wanting to give Minako a quick kiss on the forehead but having to settle for the cheek instead, half a kiss and half a smile at seeing her. ]

Not at all! But I would wait forever too see you two.

[ With his arms around Minako though, Ryoji peers over her shoulder and sees Lucy right there, her plan to stick close to Minako putting her close to Ryoji at the moment and he opens one of his arms to invite her into the hug.

COME HERE. JOIN US.

Look, okay, he's following your lead, Minako. ]

[Her human shield has left her! Though she wouldn't really begrudge Minako greeting someone who was as important to her as Ryoji seemed.

Lucy almost gagged when he opened his mouth again, though. She was content to shuffle her feet and stand right back here. That was fine.

The teenager stared at the outstretched arm with extreme suspicion, stubbornly holding her ground.]

How long were you here?

[lucy you could at least say hi]

[ Before Minako can say or do anything, sorry about the turn order, Ryoji wants that hug and hello. ]

I got here at half past six.

[ Why are you still standing back there, Lucy? One arm still around Minako, he tries to take her with him as he shuffles forward, arm already getting tired of being left hanging.

He's coming for you. ]

Ohhh, for the sunrise.

[Minako nods in understanding, hopping along in Ryoji's arms towards Lucy. She didn't mean for him to start following her lead right away, but! She'll work with it.

Minako smiles gently and extends a hand forward too, to try and ease Lucy into their hug-- palm outstretched and open, inviting. An offer.]

Lucy?

[At first, Lucy's scowl only deepened and she actually leaned away from Ryoji. No, go away, she's allergic to friendship.

She stopped when Minako spoke up, rocking on her feet slightly.]

What.

[...did she have to?

She probably did, didn't she.

With a grumble, Lucy grudgingly started to shuffle forwards. Even though half of her mind was screaming at her to run off--more than half, really. She could make it over that fence in a moment. But that nagging feeling of disappointing Minako was still there. That was what kept her feet moving forwards, instead of dashing off.

Lucy was still bracing for impact though, shoulders stiff and her hands balled up at her sides instead of raised up to fend off contact. She probably wouldn't tolerate more than a few seconds.

But at least she was trying.]

[ Oh, she's actually approaching. Ryoji didn't think she would, after initially drawing back like she did, but he would probably do absolutely anything Minako asked to as well. He sees those fists, the stiff movements, so even though group hugs should ideally be as long as possible, perhaps with some jumping and shouting thrown into the mix, Ryoji pulls Lucy into the hug, counts to two inside his head, and immediately lets go of both her and Minako.

There. That wasn't too bad, right? ]

[After the brief hug, Minako steps back as well, giving Lucy the space she needs and Ryoji a soft smile of gratitude before clapping her hands together. Time to pump up the mood! And what better way to do that than with food?]

Right! Since I'm almost one hundred percent sure Ryoji forgot to eat while watching the sunrise, why don't we get a breakfast crepe at one of the food stalls? Peach is the speciality, of course, but they have strawberry too. And apple. There probably aren't any smiling faces on those ones. Come on, let's go!

[Lucy tensed further, even before arms settled over her shoulders. She didn't return the gesture; it was all she could do to just not react. It was strange, and restrictive, and someone would be shouting at her or dragging her away from something in a moment, and—

...it was gone?

The teenager stood still out of stunned surprise than wariness, blinking a few times. That was it?

—Minako was saying something, she should probably listen.]

Strawberry is nice.

[A+ riveting conversation there.]

[ Minako knows him well that he doesn't tend to eat unless he eats with other people, Ryoji thinks to himself, amused as he starts off for the stalls along the strand in slow, leisure strides. Lucy too, unwittingly carries on the conversation about food, something Ryoji never tires of talking about. ]

I wish honeydew were in season... but today I'll have the cinnamon apple. We can share!

[ He turns to grin at Lucy specifically, because Minako already knows he's going to want some of hers ]

Honeydew crepes sound so good right now...but it'll have to be mango today.

[She keeps that same, easygoing pace with him, glancing out of the corner of her eye to check Lucy is following before stage whispering to her.]

He doesn't look like he would, but Ryoji has a sweet tooth as bad as I do.

[And then a little grin at him.]

Though you haven't ever had two dozen cupcakes in one sitting before like me~

[And she's proud of that fact...]

[Lucy shook her shoulders a bit, as if settling her unsociable armor back into place. She shuffled over to Minako's side, opposite Ryoji. She wasn't too thrilled with the idea of sharing food, but—she wasn't a dog, snarling over a food bowl. Maybe he's be too busy eating the crepes to talk very much?]

I made myself sick on bread once.

[That was a conversation topic, right? They were talking about food experiences now, or at least Minako was.]

[ Ryoji can't help but laugh in amusement at this turn of conversation. If it were a competition, he wouldn't even consider putting himself in the running against Minako, but to eat so much bread that one gets sick is equally impressive. ]

I don't know if I can top either of those!

[ Ryoji's sweet tooth is, in fact, just the single tooth, liking to try all different sorts of sweets with very little discrimination, but never eating to the point of feeling ill. ...Maybe he would if it were two dozen different flavors of cupcakes. It's a pity there aren't two dozen flavors of crepes though, he thinks as they come up to the stalls, the warmth of sugar and batter in the air. ]

Crepes are airy though, and topped with fresh fruit— I think I would be able to eat half a dozen without getting sick.

[Minako is perfectly fine to be the monkey in the middle between the other two. If only Lucy were okay with hand-holding, then she could take both of their hands and swing two sets of connected arms just like she did with her parents when she a little girl. She'd be more than happy to continue on the rest of the day like that, but alas.]

Clearly we have to have a crepe party someday. Though a bread party sounds fun too! Sourdough and brioche and bruschetta and soup to go with it all...

[She's making herself hungry, as per usual. Minako hops up to the crepe stall, digging through her purse.]

One mango, one strayberry and one cinnamon apple crepe, please~

[Lucy frowned, mouth opening to correct; it wasn't a funny story, it was-

...maybe now wasn't the time? Something about bringing down the mood.

Her teeth clicked back together, and she stayed quiet. Seeing Minako go for her purse for money, Lucy felt that she should at least contribute something; she fumbled through her jacket's pockets, looking for stray quarters.]

[ Splitting costs is always a point of contention, but Ryoji doesn't make a move to dig his wallet out of his pocket for his card; instead, he adds on even more to the order. ]

Oh! Extra whipped creme on the apple, and a large raspberry lemonade. Three straws!

[ To share, it's obvious. But also how sharing works between friends, one person paying one day, the other person paying the next; it keeps people coming back together in this endless cycle of treating each other, and next time, maybe they'll have that bread party and Ryoji will pay for the brioche. It'll mean getting to hang out with Lucy again, because he'll owe her share too. ]

What he said.

[She snickers and sets down a twenty for the whole order, gently patting Lucy on the arm. Minako had done it before with Lucy not reacting too harshly, so hopefully today will be the same case. Because Lucy definitely doesn't seem like the type to want to owe someone, and that's admirable, but Minako wants her to get used to the idea of being treated to something, too. Of having someone do something for her just because they wanted to, not because they felt like they had to.]

I've got this. A little thank you for coming out with us today. [A wink.] You just watch out that we don't drink too much of your share of the lemonade.

[Lucy did startle a little when Minako touched her arm, making a muffled burble that never left her throat. She stopped fumbling in her pocket after a moment, breaking eye contact and shifting from foot to foot.]

Uh. Okay.

[This entire situation was pretty much a foreign concept to her (who just gave her things??) and kept her just off-balance enough that she forgot to hiss or snap.

...she wasn't sure about sharing the lemonade. Too many faces close to her face. Maybe they just wouldn't notice if she didn't ask...?]

[ If Ryoji knew what Lucy was thinking, he would definitely jump on the idea of all three of them sipping from the straws all at once instead of passing it around one by one... The logistics of sharing between three people than what he's used to as well, it usually being just him and one other person or otherwise a group at large sharing from a platter of individual items, but they'll make it work.

When the crepes are done, rolled, and stuffed with fruit, Ryoji receives his and takes the first bite. Before he even starts chewing though, he holds his arm out for Minako to take the second, Lucy third if she so chooses, sharing in this way. ]

[With one hand full of crepe and the other hand holding their lemonade, Minako wastes no time at all to lean in and take a big bite from Ryoji's.]

Mmhrmgh! Tsrhh ghhh!

[Or in English: "mmhm, it's good". But that's a given, since she's here with her friends. Food always tastes better with good company, and Minako intends to eat a lot today. This barely counts as breakfast, after all.

Since she's working on this bite, though, she offers Lucy her own mango one to take a bite from. Go on, Lucy, she wants you to take it!]

[This was nice.

...too nice.

Lucy was starting to get suspicious.

She just picked up her own crepe, warily staring at Ryoji's as if it were secretly some kind of firecracker. Minako promptly disproved that theory, but Lucy still didn't reach for that crepe. She just accepted her own, and...less warily stared at Minako's.

Fine, yes, a nibble. It was, in fact, mango! Lucy was also, in fact, still an obstinate stick in the mud.]

[ Would it be too forward to lean in and take a bite of Lucy's crepe? Probably. Would he get his ears knocked for trying? Definitely.

But that's alright! Eating is, after all, an experience much more than just standing around and chewing; Ryoji points down the length of the pier with his free hand, already pulling away from the other two. ]

There are benches lining the pier that we can sit on and finish eating. The gulls are awake too, so let's go say good morning!

Mmhm! Ressh go!

[Minako finally swallows her bite, tongue poking out to catch some cream on the corner of her mouth. As she follows after him, she glances back to check on if Lucy is following too. She has a feeling she might be a bit...overprotective? Overbearing? But she can't help but worry about Lucy's comfort levels.]

As long as we don't sit too close to them. Do you remember that time one of them almost flew into my face trying to take my food?

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